The 5 Best Substitutes for Vegan Ham

If you were to attend an Easter brunch or Christmas dinner, you might notice many vegan dishes on the buffet table.

You can enjoy stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables without ever taking a bite of ham.

Ham is traditionally made out of pork legs cured in salt brine or honey for several weeks until they take on a pink color and smoky flavor.

Ham is the cured, smoked thigh of a pig or wild boar that has been seasoned before or after curing.

Vegan ham contains no pork and is usually made from tofu, seitan (wheat gluten), tempeh (soybeans fermented with mold), or mushrooms such as portobello.

Preparing vegan ham is not difficult, but it does require patience.

Hence, you can enjoy a delicious, traditional ham flavor and appearance by trying one of these five vegan substitutes.

What is Vegan Ham?

The term ‘ham’ refers to the hind leg and is typically made out of meat.

Vegan ham refers to a plant-based alternative or any food that closely replicates the taste and texture of ham.

Usually, vegan ham is made from seitan sausages wrapped in soy protein skin.

The result is a savory, salty, chewy substance that resembles traditional ham.

Vegan ham can be flavored to taste like bacon, prosciutto, or other meat commonly used in sandwiches and salads.

It is usually available at health food shops, gourmet delis, and supermarkets.

Many companies make vegan ham – some of the most popular brands include Upton’s Naturals, Field Roast, and VBites.

It is also possible to buy homemade vegan ham that sausage makers have created.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Vegan Ham

If you are looking for a meat-free alternative, the following foods might be the closest thing to ham on offer.

1 – Hickory-Smoked Tofurky Deli Slices

Tofurky is an American firm that was founded in 1980.

Since then, they have been producing meat-free alternatives to traditional foods.

Their vegan ham substitute tastes just as good as it looks – crisp and smoky.

The main ingredient is a blend of wheat gluten and organic tofu, with hickory-smoke flavoring.

The result is vegan meat with amazing flavor and an even better texture.

Tofurky’s products are widely available in gourmet shops, health food stores, and major supermarkets.

2 – Verisoy Veggie Deli Slices

Vegan ham is so versatile – it can be used in sandwiches, salads, and even on pizza.

Like Tofurky’s meat alternative, Verisoy uses organic tofu to create its vegan ham.

The brand has claimed that this product is low-fat, cholesterol-free, and an excellent source of protein.

One of the best qualities about this product is that it’s quick and easy to use.

You can even buy pre-sliced Verisoy products.

This vegan meat substitute comes in two flavors – original and maple bacon.

All you have to do is heat it, and it’s ready to eat.

3 – Yves Veggie Ham

Yves is very popular for making vegetarian versions of meat.

These products are typically made from plants, soy, or wheat gluten.

This means your dishes will have a healthy twist without compromising on taste.

The great thing about Yves products is that they are made from natural ingredients.

This means you can expect a superior quality product that closely mirrors the meat’s flavor.

This brand has recently introduced chickenless strips, chickenless nuggets, and deli slices.

4 – Lightlife Smart Deli Ham

For the last few years, Lightlife has been developing meat-free products.

Their Smart Deli Ham is a highly acclaimed product that tastes just like traditional ham.

The process used to create this vegan ham substitute is cultured dextrose, and it’s made from soy protein isolate and tofu.

It contains no cholesterol, trans fats, saturated fat, or sugar.

The texture of this product is great – it’s soft and tender on the inside with a crispy exterior.

Lightlife products are available in all health food stores and major supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and Whole Foods Market.

5 – Vegetarian Plus Vegan Ham Roll

This Vegan ham roll is made from seitan – it’s a chewy, meaty alternative to soy protein.

Vegetarian Plus’ vegan ham is low in calories and salt but high in protein.

It also contains no cholesterol or trans fats.

The ingredients in this product include wheat gluten, yeast extract, soy protein isolate, and flavoring.

As a bonus, it contains no artificial coloring and is very low in saturated fat and sodium.

Vegetarian Plus vegan ham roll can be bought from most major supermarkets and health food stores.

Conclusion

So there we have it – the five best substitutes for vegan ham.

Whether you’re looking for a vegan meat alternative to serve with mash and steamed vegetables or something that will taste amazing on pizza, any one of these products should be just what you need.

So if you want to try something different, why not give one of these substitutes for vegan ham ago? You might be pleasantly surprised.